CMA guidance on care contracts expected mid-October

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) final guidance on care contracts and consumer law obligations is expected to be published in mid-October.
The guidance will, says law firm Royds Withy King, have wide-reaching implications for care homes and care providers, requiring them to review the way they operate in terms of admissions procedures, marketing, and how they contract with service users.
Care providers who do not comply with consumer legislation will need to make significant and substantial changes to their service user contracts or risk substantial fines and enforcement action from the CMA, Trading Standards, CQC, and directly from service users.
Hazel Phillips, Head of Royds Withy King’s dedicated Social Care team said: “The CMA believes that many care providers are breaking consumer law through their current practices. Its initial report was published at the end of 2017, with its final guidance expected mid-October.
“The CMA is already scrutinising the practices of larger operators and we would expect them to shortly turn their sights onto all care providers. Most service user contracts we see do not comply with consumer legislation. Practices and contracts need to be reviewed and changed as quickly as possible to avoid penalties or more damaging legal action.”
The CMA has raised concerns around a number of practices including:
Inaccurate and misleading information on websites and in marketing materials
Charging fees for prolonged periods after death
Asking for substantial upfront payments
Making hidden charges for ‘extra services’
Charging fees for absences
Failing to provide contracts, or providing contracts which are vague and unclear
Asking third parties to act as a guarantor for care fees in inappropriate circumstances
Charging third party top-ups without due regard to the Care Act and Care & Support Statutory Guidance and the NHS Continuing Healthcare framework
Increasing fees in an unfair manner
Lack of transparency around the treatment of Funded Nursing Care contribution
Unfair termination clauses
Hazel Phillips says: “The CMA guidance proposes that care providers provide information in a prescribed way at three separate stages – on first contact, before an offer is accepted, and on confirmation and finalisation of an offer. Weekly fees charged and what they do and do not cover will need to be made clear.
“Up-front fees and security or reservation deposits will be more closely scrutinised. Already, Sunrise Senior Living has agreed to repay £2m in compensation for charging up-front fees, and we would not be surprised if further compensation payments were to follow in respect of the practices of other providers.”
The CMA guidance restricts charges after death to a backstop period of up to 10 days. A discount on fees when a resident is absent is also likely to be introduced.
Hazel adds: “The use of third-party guarantors will need to be very clearly worded and explained, and a separate contract will be required where it has been agreed with a local authority that a third party will pay a top up. Unexplained and unfair fee increases will increasingly be challenged.
“Care providers should start reviewing their practices and contracts now in advance of the CMA’s final guidance.”

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